I've had genital hsv-1 for many years without any outbreaks, but lately i get them almost every month. what would be the reason for this change?

Maybe not herpes: It is rare for HSV1 to cause frequent genital herpes outbreaks. Maybe you have more recently been infected with HSV2. Or maybe the symptoms aren't herpes. See a doctor/clinic during an outbreak so that a PCR test for HSV can be done from the outbreak itself (not a blood test). Find a herpes or STD expert for in-person advice. Good luck.